For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
APPEAL. A review of the City Manager’s interpretation of any provision of this chapter or a request for a variance.
AREA OF SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD. The land in the floodplain within a community subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year.
BASE FLOOD. The flood having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
DEVELOPMENT. Any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations located within the area of special flood hazard.
EXISTING MOBILE HOME PARK OR MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION. A parcel or contiguous parcels of land divided into 2 or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot on which
the mobile home is to be affixed is completed before the effective date of this chapter, including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads and the construction of streets.
EXPANSION TO AN EXISTING MOBILE HOME PARK OR MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION. The preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the mobile homes are to be affixed, including the installation of utilities, either final site grading or pouring of concrete or the construction of streets.
FLOOD or FLOODING. A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
(1) The overflow of inland or tidal waters; and/or
(2) The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source.
FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM). The official map on which the Federal Insurance Administration has delineated both the areas of special flood hazards and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.
FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY. The official report provided in which the Federal Insurance Administration has provided flood profiles, as well as the flood boundary/floodway map and the water surface elevation of the base flood.
FLOODWAY. The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation.
HABITABLE FLOOR. Any floor usable for living purposes, which includes working, sleeping, eating, cooking or recreation or a combination thereof. A floor used only for storage purposes is not a HABITABLE FLOOR.
MOBILE HOME. A structure that is transportable in 1 or more sections, built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used with or without a permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities. It does not include recreational vehicles or travel trailers.
NEW CONSTRUCTION. Structures for which the start of construction commenced on or after the effective date of this chapter.
NEW MOBILE HOME PARK OR MOBILE HOME SUBDIVISION. A parcel or contiguous parcels of land divided into 2 or more mobile home lots for rent or sale for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lot is completed on or after the effective date of this chapter, including, at a minimum, the installation of utilities, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads and the construction of streets.
START OF CONSTRUCTION. The first placement of permanent construction of a structure other than a mobile home on a site, such as the pouring of slabs or footings or any work beyond the stage of excavation. Permanent construction does not include land preparation such as clearing, grading and filling, nor does it include the installation of streets and/or walkways, nor does it include excavation for a basement, footings, piers or foundations or the erection of temporary forms; nor does it include the installation on the property of accessory buildings such as garages or sheds not occupied as dwelling units or not as part of the main structure. For a structure other than a mobile home without a basement or poured footings, the START OF CONSTRUCTION includes the first permanent framing or assembly of the structure or any part thereof on its piling or foundation. For mobile homes not within a mobile home park or mobile home subdivision, START OF CONSTRUCTION means the affixing of the mobile home to its permanent site. For mobile homes within mobile home parks or mobile home subdivisions, START OF CONSTRUCTION is the date on which the construction of facilities for servicing the site on which the mobile home is to be
affixed is completed; including, at a minimum, the construction of streets, either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads, and installation of utilities.
STRUCTURE. A walled and roofed building, a mobile home or a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT.
(1) Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either:
(a) Before the improvement or repair is started; or
(b) If the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred.
(2) For the purposes of this definition,
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT is considered to occur when the first alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include either:
(a) Any project for improvement of a structure to comply with existing state or local health, sanitary or safety code specifications which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions; or
(b) Any alteration of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or a state inventory of historic places.
VARIANCE. A grant of relief from the requirements of this chapter which permits construction in a manner that would otherwise be prohibited by this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 11.5-2) (Ord. 79-3, passed 7-19-1979)